This bill defines the cost of quality child care and sets subsidy rates for licensed or certified child care providers.

The bill mandates the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to use a cost of quality child care rate model to recommend subsidy rates for licensed or certified child care providers. The model includes factors such as living wage salaries, benefits, family engagement activities, and educational materials. The department must also evaluate options to support access to affordable health care insurance coverage for these providers. The bill aims to ensure that child care subsidy rates are sufficient to compensate providers for the full costs of providing high-quality care.

This bill defines the cost of quality child care and sets subsidy rates for licensed or certified child care providers.

The bill mandates the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to use a cost of quality child care rate model to recommend subsidy rates for licensed or certified child care providers. The model includes factors such as living wage salaries, benefits, family engagement activities, and educational materials. The department must also evaluate options to support access to affordable health care insurance coverage for these providers. The bill aims to ensure that child care subsidy rates are sufficient to compensate providers for the full costs of providing high-quality care.